Top 5 Elimination Chamber Matches in WWE history

Shawn Michaels after winning the first Elimination Chamber

The WWE Universe is buzzing with excitement about seeing two Elimination Chamber matches on Sunday. The Tag Team Championship and the Intercontinental Championship will be defended at the Network exclusive pay-per-view on Sunday and both the matches are expected to be of high quality.

This quality will be measured with respect to all the excellent matches that WWE has put together over the years. From the first elimination chamber match in 2002 Survivor Series to the last one in 2014, the chamber lived up to the expectations almost every time. Before we gear up for another date with the steel structure, here is a look at some of the best Elimination Chamber Matches.

Raw New Year’s Resolution (2006)

Contestants: John Cena vs. Kurt Angle vs. Carlito vs. Chris Masters vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Kane

The Raw Elimination Chamber from 2006 New Year’s resolution kick started one of the best feuds in John Cena’s career. It all started inside the Elimination chamber when he worked against five other men in a destructive match. The likes of Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels and Kane, known to be veterans were mixed in correct proportion with newcomers like Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels to give an excellent match.

Angle was the first man to be eliminated and the teamwork of Masters and Carlito then eliminated Michaels and Kane. This left Cena in an uphill battle but he came out winning the match. Just minutes later, Edge came in and cashed in the Money in the Bank contract and took the title away from John Cena, just like that.

Raw No Way out (2009)

Contestants: John Cena vs. Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Mike Knox vs. Kane vs. Rey Mysterio

This match had a great story to begin with. The protagonist was none other than Edge himself. Edge lost out the first elimination chamber match of the night and took out Kofi Kingston to enter the next one as well. That is two Elimination Chamber matches in one night if you were not counting.

Edge was pitted up against the likes of John Cena, Chris Jericho, Mike Knox, Kane and Rey Mysterio. Knox, as expected was sent back soon after a lot of action and but he was only the second superstar to be eliminated after Mysterio managed to get rid of Kane earlier. The elimination of Cena from the mix ensured us a new champion.

And the new champion proved to be Edge. He outclassed both Rey and Jericho to capture the title in the most shocking manner possible.

Raw SummerSlam (2003)

Contestants: Triple H vs. Goldberg vs. Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Kevin Nash vs. Randy Orton

This match will always be remembered for the domination of Goldberg. He came into the match as a clear favorite and proved this from the moment he was released from the pod. Kevin Nash was the first man to be sent back. All the other superstars survived in the chamber afterwards until Goldberg decided to go on a rampage.

The former WCW champion went on to eliminate Orton, Michaels and Jericho in a single sweep leaving him and Triple H fighting for the title. Goldberg’s hopes of winning the title however took a big blow when Ric Flair handed over a sledgehammer to Triple H, which then won the match for Hunter.

Raw New Year’s Revolution (2005)

Contestants: Batista vs. Chris Benoit vs. Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton vs. Triple H

The star power was enough to make this one a major success but WWE went a step ahead and added Shawn Michaels as the Special guest referee as well. Batista and Triple H were still Evolution buddies and this gave Hunter a certain advantage over others.

Jericho and Benoit started off the match in style but they were soon sent back by Batista. Edge followed soon and it was left between Orton, Batista and Triple H. Everyone expected Orton to be eliminated so that Batista could have a go at Triple H but instead, it was the Animal who found his way out. However, before leaving, Batista made sure that Triple H won the title by giving a huge clothesline to Orton.

Survivor Series (2002)

Contestants: Triple H vs. Booker T vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Rob Van Dam

As they say, first impression might always be the best impression. The first ever Elimination Chamber match happened in the 2002 Survivor Series and it was packed with some great names of the era. As the fans did not know what to expect from the concept, everything the superstars did turned out to be benchmark. Rob Van Dam delivered a big five star frog splash from top of the pod and picked up an injury in the process. This eliminated him quickly just before Booker T found the exit.

It took a flurry of Finishing moves to eliminate Kane from the bout and finally, it was left between Triple H and Michaels. Both men had a lot of history between them and after some thrilling exchanges; Shawn Michaels came out on top and won his first World Heavyweight championship.